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VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 (2025)
Digital work, disability, and the Global South: Examining the gig economy’s role in inclusive employment
Authors
Amisha Pareek
Abstract
The rapid expansion of the gig economy has transformed labor markets
across the Global South, offering new opportunities (PWDs) who face persistent
barriers in traditional employment. This study examines the extent to which
digital gig work contributes to inclusive employment for PWDs, focusing on
accessibility, income generation, and social empowerment. The research combines
a survey of 420 disabled gig workers from India, Kenya, the Philippines, and
Brazil with 32 in-depth interviews to capture lived experiences. Quantitative
data highlight increased access to flexible work schedules (78%) and reduced
transportation barriers (65%), while qualitative insights reveal challenges in
platform accessibility, payment reliability, and algorithmic bias. The study
finds that while digital work can expand economic participation for PWDs,
inclusion is often conditional on digital literacy, infrastructure
availability, and platform design. Gender dynamics are also notable, with women
with disabilities more likely to engage in content creation and micro-tasking,
while men dominate ride-hailing and delivery services. The findings suggest
that without deliberate policy intervention and inclusive platform standards,
the gig economy risks replicating existing inequalities rather than dismantling
them. Policy recommendations include mandating accessibility audits for
platforms, subsidizing assistive technologies, and expanding targeted skills
training. This research contributes to debates on disability-inclusive
development by emphasizing the need to integrate accessibility and equity
considerations into the rapidly evolving digital labor ecosystem in the Global
South.
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Pages:1-3
How to cite this article:
Amisha Pareek "Digital work, disability, and the Global South: Examining the gig economy’s role in inclusive employment". World Journal of Applied Research, Vol 1, Issue 1, 2025, Pages 1-3
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